Sheeps Crossing
Exceptional primarily because it is off-the-beaten-path. If solitude and great birding is your thing, this is the place. Start down a steep but short trail to the riverbed. Here the Verde River is bordered by limestone cliffs to the north and a Mesquite Bosque forest to the south. Follow the river upstream for a bit and you will be at the confluence with Oak Creek; follow downstream and get lost in this wondrous Gallery Forest with only the wind and birdsong to keep you company. Downstream exploring goes for miles and miles. Combined habitats make this a great place for eagles, hawks and falcons. Neotropical migrants, riparian and desert scrub residents, along with marsh birds provide a nice variety of species. Although this site is lightly birded, there are still 130 species recorded.
Some nice surprises and visitors have been known to drop in to rest and feed with
migration.
Site Information
Region: North Central
County: Yavapai
Directions: Located between Cottonwood and Camp Verde off 260. Take 1000 Trails roundabout north 1 mile - left past entrance to RV park - down hill - right on Alcantara Way - follow dirt road until ending in circular parking area
Latitude: 34.675336
Longitude: -111.942111
Operational Hours: Open all year, 24 hours a day
Admission or Fees: None
Best time to visit: March through June Fall Migration
Habitats: Marsh or Wetland, Stream or river
Know Before You Go
Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.
Species Highlights
Speciality: Abert’s Towhee, Bridled Titmouse, Black-throated Gray Warbler, Zone-tailed Hawk
Charismatic: Black-throated Sparrow, Lesser Nighthawk
Contact Information
Prescott National Forest
300 East Highway 260
Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Phone: (928) 567-4121
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/prescott/about-forest/districts/?cid=fswdev3_009850
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L4349072
